Crane & HoistTraining & Inspection RequirementsCrane Safety

Does Does the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Part 29CFR. Standards for General Industry Cover all types of Cranes & Hoists?

Sec.5 (a)(1)Each employer-Shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees

The Occupation Safety and Health Act 29CFR. Section 5. Duties

Are Cranes & Hoists a Hazard?

Accident 170006100 -- Report ID: 1055360 -- Event Date: 01/24/1996Inspection: 115402240   

Open: 01/24/1996   

SIC: 2295   

Fiberglass Technology Industries Inc

A crane operator inadvertently carried a load over Employee #1. At that moment, the floor pendant cable moved an after-market quick-release lever on the vacuum lift, causing the vacuum pads to release the plywood panel backing board. It struck Employee #1on the head and he reported neck and upper back injuries. Employee #1 He was treated at Valley Hospital and released.

Accident 170891311 -- Report ID: 0950635 -- Event Date: 09/12/1995

Inspection: 112133558   

Open: 09/13/1995   

SIC: 3312   Western Tube & Conduit Corp

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on September 12, 1995, Employee #1 and a coworker, who was operating a crane, were attempting to load the payoff of a large mill. Employee #1 was between the slit coil, which was hanging on the crane, and the rack. When the crane operator pushed the button to move the coil east toward the payoff, the coil moved backward and pressed Employee #1 against the rack. He suffered a contusion. The crane's hand control switches were miswired, causing the east direction of the switch to move the trolley to the west and vice versa.

Accident Investigation Summary

Summary Nr: 000566307    Event: 03/10/1995    Employee Killed, Two Injured, When Struck By Rail

Car Side On or about March 10, 1995, Employee #2, a welder, was part of a four-person crew whose assigned task was to install the sides on rail cars. A 15 ton crane is used to position the 3,500 lb steel car sides for welding. Before the crane is released, the sides are wedged at the bottom and secured at the top with a chain attached to the center and side structural member. Two of the crew then spot weld the side in place. The other two men are assigned to the horse shoe, a piece of equipment which encapsulates the sides and top of the car and is equipped with pneumatic rams and a work platform "basket." The horse shoe is placed at the end of the car and the rams clamp the sides and remove the air gap. The welders work from a platform on the inside of the car. Employee #2 was operating the crane. He positioned one side and, with the help of a coworker, placed wedges on the bottom. The crane was left connected because Employee #2 thought the crane was not needed elsewhere at the time, and the spot welding could be completed. Employee #1, the supervisor, had been in the area helping, and Employee #3, the shop superintendent, came over to discuss a problem with the location of one of the spot welds. Employee #2 observed an employee from Main Fit approach Employee #1 and say something. Employee #1 turned and asked Employee #2 if he was finished with the crane. Employee #2 replied that he was, except for installing chains at the top of the car side, and he turned away. A short time later he observed the Main Fit employee climbing the ladder and removing the clamps from the car side. Later, Employee #2, returning from the Main Fit area, observed the top of the side move as if it were falling. He yelled and ran to push Employee #1 out of the way. As the side fell, it caught Employee #1, who was kneeling, and also struck Employees #2 and #3. Employee #1 was killed and Employees #2 and #3 were seriously injured. Employee #2 required hospitalization. Company operating instructions and procedures were not followed in that the crane was disconnected from the load, by an untrained employee, from another department, prior to the installation of chains to secure the load in place. This condition was the direct cause of the accident.

Do Any Standards Require Operator Training?

ASME B30.16 (1999)

16-3.1.1 Before Operating Hoist“The operator shall be familiar with all operating controls of the hoist, and shall be instructed in the operations to be performed. Instructions shall include, as applicable, the warnings on the hoist, the hoisting practices listed in this Section, and the operation instructions portion of the hoist manufacturers manual”.

Inspection of Cranes & Hoists

Two General Classifications

Frequent- Daily-Monthly

Periodic- 1-12 Months

Frequent Inspections Minimums

Daily- By the operator visual inspection no records required.

Monthly- By a qualified person with a signed and dated record of the inspection.

Periodic Inspection Minimum

Every 12 months by a qualified person, with records signed and dated by the person who performed the inspection.

Inspection Records Retention

Most recent Frequent (monthly).Most recent Periodic (Annual).

Please Note: Preventative Maintenance records, and Inspection records are separate requirements